Spinone Italiano
The Spinone Italiano is one of the oldest European pointing breeds — depicted in Italian Renaissance frescoes and documented in hunting texts from the 15th century.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Italy
Lifespan
10–12 years
Weight
28–39 kg (62–86 lbs)
Height
58–70 cm (23–28 in)
Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active large gun dog.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Spinone Italiano is one of the oldest European pointing breeds — depicted in Italian Renaissance frescoes and documented in hunting texts from the 15th century. A large, wire-coated, tireless pointer from northern Italy, the Spinone hunts at a methodical, deliberate pace — it is the slowest and most thorough of the European versatile pointers, quartering systematically and pointing with great steadiness. Its thick, dense wire coat and heavy body allow it to work in terrain that stops other dogs. It has been described as "the gentle giant of the pointing breeds" for its calm, patient, sweet temperament.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
Discover which pets match your lifestyle
Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, substantial, shaggy-looking wire-coated Italian pointer. The rough, harsh, thick coat provides total protection in briar and swamp. Prominent eyebrows, mustache, and beard give it a wise, professorial expression. The eyes are deeply kind. Any roan or white-based pattern.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Low
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, patient, and calm — one of the most gentle-natured of all large gun dogs. Excellent family dog and companion. Loves people and other animals. Moves deliberately, not at the pace of faster continental breeds.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
30 to 45 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 25°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
stubbornness, withdrawal, drooling, clinginess
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5 hours moderate exercise daily. Brushing 2–3 times weekly. The beard and mustache collect water and food — regular cleaning required.
Nutrition Notes
Cerebellar ataxia in some lines — DNA test. Bloat risk. Joint supplements. Generally gentle, slow-paced gun dog.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Cerebellar ataxia — DNA test available. Hip dysplasia. Bloat. Ectropion. Otitis. Italy's wirehaired pointing dog. Slow, methodical hunting style (unlike energetic pointers). "Human expression" in face. 12-14 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1400 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
1000 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Cerebellar ataxia (CNS-CA) — progressive neurological disease unique to the breed; DNA test available. Bloat (GDV). Eye conditions.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Cerebellar ataxia testing essential. Italy's pointer. India: rare.
Purchase Price
$1,500 to $3,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Spinone Italiano's beard and mustache act as a sponge — it will dip its entire beard into a water bowl to drink, then drip water across your floor for several minutes afterward. The "Spinone beard drip" is a well-known hazard of ownership.
